Celtics cruise past Wizards

Boston, MA – Brandon Bass had 20 points and six rebounds in the Boston Celtics' 107-96 win over the Washington Wizards.

Paul Pierce finished with 15 points and five assists, while Kevin Garnett added 12 points and six boards for the Celtics, who have won two of their last three games and sit 1 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

"He's comfortable in everything he's doing. You know the thing about Brandon is we don't run a lot of plays but he seems to always be in the right spots, available, taking advantage of his opportunities to move the ball, and that's what you're seeing," Pierce said of Bass.

John Wall tallied 16 points and 10 assists to lead Washington, which has dropped two of its last three tilts.

"We had trouble passing with some of our bigs. Turnovers they turned into points. We didn't have a lot - 17 , but our bigs had seven of them," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "That usually leads to a fast break layup when your bigs turn it over. We had that stretch in the third quarter where we struggled offensively and they were clicking offensively and that was the difference."

The Celtics led 28-27 after a quarter of play and took a 56-52 edge into the break, but began to pull away in the third.

After Nene's left-handed dunk pulled the Wizards within 58-57, Boston countered with a 14-1 run to seize control.

Avery Bradley and Bass had four points apiece during the surge, which was capped on Bass's driving two-handed dunk to make it 72-58 with 5:00 left in the third.

The margin swelled to as much as 18 before Boston entered the final frame with an 87-71 cushion.

Washington never cut the deficit below double digits in the fourth.

Game Notes

Boston has beaten Washington seven straight times ... The Celtics recorded 20 points off of 17 Wizards turnovers ... Boston held a 50-36 points in the paint advantage.